Biology Holiday Homework

• Reproducible: Different scientists can get the same results when they follow the same method as the original scientists.
• Repeatable: The original scientists can get the same results when they replicate the experiment
• Valid: The experiment measures what it claims to be measuring
• 1. Tests the eect of independent variable(s) on dependent variable(s)

  The IV is the factor you control or change. The DV is the factor you measure. You want to test if/how your IV affects your DV. Both variables should be mentioned in your hypothesis, which should predict how the IV influences the DV. The groups that have the IV applied to them are known as the experimental groups
• 2. Has a control group.

  A control group is a group where the IV is not applied to the DV.

  The results from control groups are compared to experimental groups, and any difference between the groups may be attributed to the IV (provided all potential uncontrolled variables are controlled against).
• 3. Has replicates of each experimental and control group

  Replication means you have multiple groups under the same conditions. This suggests that your results are less likely to be outliers or due to chance, and allows you to take the average of your replicates for each experimental group. If your experiment is well-designed, the values for different replicates of the same treatment should be similar
• Personal errors are mistakes or miscalculations made by the experimenter. They can affect accuracy, precision, validity, and/or reliability.
• Systematic errors cause readings to differ from the true value by a consistent amount each time. They affect the accuracy of the experiment.
• Random errors are unpredictable variations in the measurement process that result in a spread of readings. They affect the precision of the experiment.
• Uncontrolled variables are potential variables besides the IV that may affect your results. You should remove them or control them by keeping them constant. At the very least, you should measure them so you know how they change.
• 5. Is informed by bioethical approaches and concepts

  Your experiment must follow the bioethical concepts of integrity, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence, and respect.

  When analysing a bioethical issue, it is important to consider the three approaches to bioethics: consequences-based, duty/rule-based, and virtues-based.
• 6. Collects data that is reliable.

  To collect reliable data: get a large, unbiased sample, be accurate, be precise, and minimise uncertainty in measurements.

  An accurate measurement is one that is close to what is considered to be the ‘true’ value. Accuracy can be increased by reducing measurement/systematic error.

  Precision refers to how closely multiple measurements are to one another. Precision can be increased by having a larger sample size
• 7. Is communicated clearly, so other scientists can peer-review my work.

  This means you need to present data in a meaningful way, give a clear method section so your work can be reproduced, and consider the appropriate safety and bioethical factors.
• Replication is repetition of experimental conditions so variations can be assessed.
• Controlled variable is any variable that is kept unchanged.
• Experimental groups are groups which the independent variable/treatment is applied.
• Independent variable is the variable that is manipulated or changed by the experimenter
• Hypothesis is a testable statement that describes the relationship between the IV and DV
• A dependent variable is a variable that is being measured and is expected to be the independent variable.
• Control group is a group in the study that does not receive the independent variable and serves as a point of comparison